Manighar claims first Australian win

A change of attitude and a twinkler with his gear was enough for international galloper Manighar to claim his first Australian win at Caulfield at today.

Having his first start for trainer Peter Moody, Manighar was able to score a soft win over Shadowfax in the Group 3 $125,000 Catanach’s TS Carlyon Cup.

Moody added the nose roll to the six year old and this has helped to transformed the stayer into a classy 1600m winner.

Melbourne’s premier trainer took over the reins of Manighar after last years spring carnival when he was prepared by one Europe’s top trainers Luca Cumani.

Manighar hasn’t raced since finishing second to Americain in the Group 2 $350,000 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown on November 12 last year.

The start before he ran 5th to Dunaden in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1 and was only regarded as a dour stayer.

“We came here with an open mind. He’s been going nicely at home. Four or five weeks ago he was a 4000m hurdler but as we shortened and sharpened his work up he started to show a turn of foot. If he ran to his work he was going to run okay,” Moody said.

Manighar is now headed towards the Group 1 $1m Dubai Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10 and then onto Sydney for the for the Group 1 $2.25 The BMW at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day.

Jockey Luke Nolen was able to settle Manighar just behind the leaders and let him down in straight score a comfortable win by almost two lengths.

Author: Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.